FicWad

Chapter Twenty Four - Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

15th November 2006


Nottingham Rock City was a great place to play, in fact the whole tour although short had been amazing. They had managed to pick some truly iconic places and the atmosphere and crowd reaction had been legendary. Jill felt like she had written a novel never mind an article as she closed down her laptop backstage and finally agreed to relent to her rumbling stomach. One thing for sure this experience had totally messed up her eating and sleeping pattern and she couldn't wait to finally be able to wake up in her own bed. She had loved every moment of it and she still couldn't quite believe everything that had happened in the last week. Jill was going to miss the excitement of it and the sheer adventure of moving from one place to another and she really felt she had got to know the band. This was her last day with them and it was almost over, just one more show, one more night in a hotel and early tomorrow she would be catching a train back to London with the likelihood of never being able to see them again unless she got really lucky. Jill pondered for a moment as she thought about him, she had never let herself fall so quickly for someone and after her last relationship she vowed she would never trust anyone again. Bob, however, was so different, god he made her laugh and everytime he came near her, she would get all tongue tied and stupid. Jill knew it wasn't going to go anywhere but in the moments they shared together, she couldn't help imagine what might be. She vowed at that moment she would step right back, give herself that distance to make some rational sense of it all and not let herself say goodbye to them with any regrets. Jill packed away her stuff and secured it away in the dressing room as she made her way towards the catering.

"What'll it be today?"

"Can I have some macaroni?" Jill replied unable to resist it.

She smiled as the caterer passed her the plate and she picked up a can of diet coke as she made her way to an empty table. The guys had been so busy since they arrived in the city with the press and radio, she hadn't seen them at all which had allowed her to appease Ruth who had been hounding her for an update. She flicked through the magazines that had been left on the table.

"Hey you," a voice said as a chair was dragged back and someone sat beside her.

Jill looked up and smiled, "Hey Bob,"

"That looks nice,"

"You want some because I'm full." Jill replied knowing she had eaten it far too fast.

"Do you ever eat Jill?"

"Yes, but you never saw the plateful I was given and I was so hungry I ate it too fast and now I can hardly move." Jill laughed.

Bob pulled the plate towards him.

"I'll get you a fork," Jill said starting to stand up.

"Nah, it's alright," he replied taking her fork from her and eating.

Jill smiled as she watched him eat, he was so cute and it pained her to think this was her last day with him.

"You okay?" he suddenly asked as he looked over at her.

"Yep I'm fine," Jill replied, "But you've dropped a bit on your jacket,"

Jill laughed as she instinctively picked up a napkin, dipped it in her water and wiped the stain off his jacket. She froze as she suddenly realised what she was doing and in front of the other people in the room.

"What's wrong?" Bob asked her gently as he noticed her move away from him.

"oh nothing," she replied standing up, "Well I better be going back."

"Jill," Bob said as he watched her walk away but she didn't stop. He was totally confused, every time he felt they had moved forward, it seemed like it was followed by a huge step back. He looked up to see Ray coming over to him, "What's wrong?

Bob stayed silent for a moment as Ray sat down,"I don't know where I stand." He said rubbing his forehead with the plam of his hand.

"You mean with Jill?" Ray asked taking a drink of water.

"Yeah," Bob replied.

"You'll need to give me more than that if you want me to help." Ray said wishing Bob would open up more but knowing getting personal stuff from him was like getting blood out of a stone.

"Everytime I think we're getting somewhere she pulls away from me," Bob told him as he played with the sleeve of his jacket, "Like just now, we had a brilliant morning just spending time together and when I came and sat with her everything was fine, but then she wiped something off my jacket and it all got weird, it's like she's embarrased to be seen with me."

Ray put his glass down and looked at Bob, "Are you sure it's not just she's afraid of being seen with you?"

"Afraid?" Bob asked taken aback," I'm not that bad am i?"

"Look at it this way, it's obvious to everyone that you guys have something going on," Ray said noticing Bob's face slightly redden, "Jill's not used to all the craziness that follows us around and remember the e-mail she got, she's probably shit-scared about being seen with you and people talking."

Bob felt like an idiot, he knew Ray was probably right, "I just don't know what to do, I don't want to be the cause of any problems for her."

"You really like her don't you?" Ray asked watching his friend.

Bob looked up at him,"I do, fuck Ray I think I'm really falling for her,"

"Then you have to tell her," Ray responded putting his hand on Bob's shoulder.

"It's not that simple," Bob replied holding his head in his hands," Jill lives here and we're what in the UK like three times a year or something, I can't ask her to wait around for me, look what happened the last time.

Ray sighed, he knew exactly where Bob was coming from, it was hard maintaining a relationship with someone in their own home state never mind across an ocean, "You need to let her decide that Bob, plus I'm sure Jill could fly to see you aswell."

Bob nodded, "I know."

"Just promise me you will speak to her before we leave, don't give up on this without giving it a try," Ray asked.

"I will,"

"Well go on then," Ray laughed as he gently pushed Bob,"No time like the present."

"I can't do it right now," Bob replied feeling nervous at the thought of it.

"Chicken shit," Ray said laughing once more, "You better go and catch up with her then and make sure she's alright."

"I know," Bob replied reaching over and stealing Ray's chocolate bar.

"Hey that was mine," Ray moaned as Gerard sat down beside him.

"Boo hoo," Bob laughed as he went to find Jill as Ray relaxed knowing Bob was going to be okay.

"Everything alright?" Gerard asked.

"It is now." Ray replied,"I think I've persuaded him to finally tell Jill how he feels."

"You sure that's wise, we're leaving tomorrow." Gerard said playing around with the food on his plate.

"He really likes her, in fact I think I can safely say that he may even love her." Ray smiled

"What?" Gerard quickly replied, "How can you fall in love in like a week?"

Ray looked at him, "Quite easily if you find the right person, it's wether you take that chance that really matters and anyway you can hardly talk."

Gerard scoffed at him, "You'll never find me going crazy about someone like that after just meeting them," he said shaking his head, "I mean I think Jill's cool but next you'll be telling me that her and Bob are getting married."

"You can mock all you like Gerard but one day you're gonna meet that right person and you won't know what's hit you." Ray responded.

"I've found my girl," Gerard added as if he had just suddenly remembered her.

"Oh yeah so you have," Ray replied trying to sound convincing but failing miserably.


x------x


Bob looked frantically around backstage for her knowing he had to speak to her and at least make sure she was okay. His attention was soon drawn to the dressing room as he heard the familiar sound of Frank laughing. He walked slowly towards the room and peeked round the door. Jill was sitting on the sofa with Mikey and they were all laughing.

"Hey man," Mikey said as he noticed Bob standing at the door.

"What's so funny?" Bob asked as he came into the room and instantly noticed Jill lower her gaze to the ground.

"Just Frank telling Jill all about the crazy stuff that's happened to us on tour and oh yes all about me and my incessant need to electrocute myself." Mikey replied laughing.
They all looked up at the door as their make-up artist arrived and the clothes were brought into the room, "Right we need to get cracking to get you guys ready, where's Gerard and Ray?"

"I'll go get them," Bob replied before turning to Jill, "Can I speak to you for a moment Jill?"

"Sure," Jill said standing up and following him out of the room.

Jill expected him to go back in the direction of Ray and Gerard but instead he pulled her to the support bands dressing room.

"What you doing Bob?" Jill asked as he shut the door behind them.

"I need to know that you're not mad at me or if I've upset you in some way." Bob replied standing in front of her and taking her hands into his own.

"No, you haven't upset me in anyway," she answered gazing at her feet.

Bob watched her for a moment, "I don't understand Jill."

"What do you mean?" Jill asked already knowing the answer.

"One minute I think everything is going really well between us and then the next you're almost running away from me," Bob explained.

Jill nodded knowing that she had virtually abandoned him at the table when she realised she had got a little too comfortable around him.

"Tell me Jill please," Bob whispered lightly running his fingers down the side of her face before gently lifting her chin so that she would look at him.

"I'm scared." Jill replied.

"What of?" Bob asked pulling her gently towards him.

"Of what others might say and do," she responded.

"I don't want you to feel scared around me and I'll do anything to make things better," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and to his relief she leaned into him.

"I'm sorry Bob for reacting like that," Jill said looking up at him.

"Promise me something," Bob asked

"Anything," Jill replied.

"You won't bottle things up, that you'll tell me what's going on in there." He said gently tapping her forehead with his finger.

"I promise." Jill replied as he replaced his finger on her forehead with his lips.

He brought both hands to the side of her face and kissed her gently. Jill soon forgot about her earlier promise to keep her distance as she responded to the kiss. It felt so good to have him so close once again, he was like an addictive drug, the more you had, the more you wanted it.
Jill felt herself giving into what she craved, all her previous hesitations and worries disappeared as she sought comfort in his arms. She felt him pushing her back and she let him and when she felt herself come into contact with the bunker she let herself sit on it. Her traitorous hands ran up his neck and into his hair as he sighed deeply into the kiss. His breathing quickened as he felt her unzip his jacket and he allowed himself to remove his hands from her as he urgently shrugged it off and heard it fall on the floor. His hands immediately returned to her and they caressed her shoulders and back. Jill couldn't help but moan as his lips left hers and worked their way down her neck. She felt his hands move under her top and she kissed him hard as his lips sought out her own once again.

They both froze as the door suddenly swung open and the support band walked in.

"Fuck, sorry guys," the lead singer suddenly said as he noticed them.

Bob looked down at Jill and noticed her giggling as she sorted her top. He gave her a moment before he turned round and shielded her from the sight of the band.

"Em, no problem," Bob mumbled as he felt the embarrasment creep up his face, "This is your room, sorry guys."

Bob started to walk out of the room, his arms stretched out behind him as he protectively tried to hide Jill from view. Jill buried her head in his back, she was embarrased and for some unknown reason consumed with the giggles. She quickly leaned down and picked up his jacket as she contonued to follow him. Jill shut the door behind her and they both just looked at each other before laughing out loud.

"Well I think I got over my anxiety problem pretty quickly." Jill remarked.

"We're still not very good at this are we?" Bob said as he held her close.

Jill shook her head and smiled at him. She had lasted precisly 2 hours in her quest to stay away from him and now she knew she wanted him more than anything in the world.

"Shit, what time is it?" Bob suddenly said.

Jill lifted her head off his chest and looked at her watch, "It's 8.30pm."

"FUCK,"

"Aren't you supposed to be on at this time?" Jill said unable to stop the smile on her face.

"FUCK." Bob said once again as he ran toward the dressing room.

Jill watched him disappear before he reappeared again.

"Are you watching us tonight?" he asked anxiously.

"I wouldn't miss it." Jill replied.

Bob instantly wrapped his arms around her and kissed her again.

"Bob," Jill tried to reply, "You are going to get killed if you don't move your ass."

"I don't fucking care," Bob responded as he attempted to kiss her again.

"Em I think you will care when you see Ray's face." Jill said pointing behind him.

Bob turned his head round and saw Ray with an extremely pissed off look on his face, "Bob, get the fuck in that dressing room now."

Bob looked at Jill and smiled, he kissed her lightly on the lips before he turned round and ran to the dressing room. Jill couldn't help but laugh as Ray continued to berate Bob. She walked towards the stage and Worm kindly showed her where to watch the show. Jill made sure she was far enough back that no-one in the crowd would see her. The crowd were going frantic as they waited for the band to come on. So far they were now running 15 minutes late. Jill jumped slightly as she felt someone stand really close to her.

"You really need to stop kissing our drummer,"

Jill turned to see Gerard grinning at her, "I didn't mean, I, oh fuck it I just can't help myself."

Gerard laughed out loud at Jill's response, "We're still waiting for him you know."

"Yeah Jill, stop seducing him," Frank added loving the fact she was now totally embarrased.

"But Frank, she says she can't help herself." Gerard told him.

"So that's how it is, she's leading poor Bob astray," Frank replied.

"Just ignore them Jill," Mikey said as he stood beside her before he whispered, "I am pleased for you both though."

Jill looked at him nervously not really knowing how to reply. "How you feeling tonight?"

"I'll be fine, it's been hysterical watching Ray going mental at Bob so I feel just fine." Mikey replied with a smile.

"About fucking time Mr Bryar," Gerard shouted as Bob finally appeared with Ray right behind him.

"Ready?" the stage manager asked.

"I think so unless Bob here wants to run off again." Ray responded.

"ha ha," Bob replied not taking his eyes off the girl standing beside Mikey.

They all huddled together and Jill watched them going through their usual routine. Frank and Gerard grinned at her as they both walked towards the stage with Mikey following close behind. Ray lingered behind Bob to make sure there were no further distractions. Bob looked at Ray for a second before he reached over and hugged Jill.

"Give em hell," Jill shouted.

"Just for you," Bob responded as he finally made his way to the stage with a grinning Ray behind him.


x------x


Bob ran off the stage and immediately hugged Jill.

"Yuch, you're all sweaty," she said playfully pushing him away.

"You want to get something to eat back at the hotel?" Bob asked grabbing a towel and wiping himself down.

"Em Bob, hate to ruin your night but we have more press to do," Frank said.

"You're fucking kidding me," Bob snapped.

"Nope," Frank confirmed.

"I think I'll just head back to the hotel, I could do with an early night." Jill said as she walked with them back to the dressing room.

Frank looked at Bob knowing this was definitely not how Bob had envisaged spending his last night with Jill. "We really shouldn't be long Jill."

They walked into the room and Jill grabbed her bag, "See you guys later and I hope they don't keep you too long."

"Are you around tomorrow morning because this is your last night with us isn't it?" Mikey asked.

"I'm leaving about 12ish so I'll try and say cheerio if you're about." Jill replied.

Jill walked back out the room and Bob followed her, "You will come say goodbye won't you?" he asked anxiously.

"Of course I will, we can meet for breakfast if you want." Jill replied.

"I would love that," Bob said, "I really wish we didn't have any fucking press tonight so that we could do something."

"Don't worry," Jill replied as she kissed him gently and made her way to the waiting taxi.

Bob watched her disappear, he wanted so much to go after her. It frustrated the hell out of him that he couldn't spend the last few hours of his time tonight with her. There had to be some other way. Frank looked up as Bob re-entered the room and he knew instantly he had to do something to get them together, the look on Bob's face said it all.


x------x


"You know we'll get our asses kicked Frank," Bob said as he noticed Frank smirking at him.

"Live dangerously for once, " Frank smiled, "Look it's after 1am, noone will be out there."

Bob stood for a moment at his door contemplating what Frank was suggesting.

"We should get Jill to come with us, it's our last night here and she could show us around." Frank quickly said as he watched Bob move to insert his door card.

"She wanted an early night," Bob replied a bit too miserably for Frank's liking.

"Well too bad, cause Frankie wants to play and the Bryar is coming with me," Frank said as he walked up and grabbed Bob's arm.

"Frank, Worm will kill us," Bob said as he let Frank march him to the lift.

"sssshhhh," Frank whispered as he waited anxiously for the doors to open.

As the doors shut he turned to Bob, "Jill next and then off we go."

"She'll be asleep," Bob replied leaning back against the lift wall.

x------x


Jill lay on her bed, she had made the mistake of coming straight into her room and lying on her bed. Now she couldn't face moving despite being fully clothed and desperately needing to wash the makeup of her face. If only she could afford someone to do it all for her. Her head snapped towards the door as she heard a gentle knocking.

"Noooooooo," she mumbled to herself as she reluctantly pulled herself up from the bed, "Who is it?" she asked grumpily.

"I told you," Bob whispered to Frank on the other side of the door.

"It's Frank, open the door before we're discovered."

Jill rolled her eyes and despite of her better judgment she opened the door. "What you guys up to?"

"See Bob, she's still all dressed and ready to go." Frank said as he sat down on her bed

"Go, go where?" Jill asked nervously.

"We're going out," Frank said proudly.

"It's the middle of the night," Jill replied checking her watch.

"How old are you, 45?" Frank immediately responded, "Come with us."

Jill turned and looked at Bob, "Let me get my jacket."

"Hurrah," Frank said laughing, "I need to smoke so bad."

Jill pulled her jacket on, grabbing some money and her room key card she sighed as she followed them to the door, "Are you sure this is okay?" she asked, "I mean you going out at this time without any security?"

Frank laughed, "Well my Mum doesn't know if that's what you mean but I'm sure she won't ground me or anything."

"ha, ha Frank." Jill replied much to Bob's amusement.

"So how do we get out of here without anyone seeing us go out?" Bob asked gently pushing Frank into the lift.

"I say we go out the staff entrance," Jill replied noticing the blank look on Frank's face.

"Good idea, can we hurry though because I need a smoke as soon as possible." Frank added as if he was gasping for air.

As they walked through the back of the hotel to some bizarre looks from the night staff, Jill tried her best to convince that they were staff members too just finishing their shifts. She eventually gave up when the knowing looks just left her feeling stupid. Despite her best efforts both Bob and Frank stood out a mile and they all knew the band were staying in the hotel. They eventually managed to find their way out of the hotel and both Bob and Frank had lit up their cigarettes before the door had time to shut.

"You don't mind do you?" Bob asked suddenly becoming aware that the smoke was falling on her.

"Not at all, I used to smoke but had to give it up, " Jill replied, "My Dad hated it and it bothered my asthma."

"You have asthma," Bob instantly said flicking his cigarette on to the ground and grinding it out with his foot.

"You didn't have to do that," Jill said regretting mentioning it, "It's not bad and I haven't really been bothered by it for years."

Frank just stood watching them and smiled to himself as he continued to puff away.

"So what did you guys want to do?" Jill asked looking at them both.

"I just fancy going for a walk, I never get to really see anywhere." Frank replied throwing his cigarette but onto the ground.

Jill understood where he was coming from, it couldn't be easy flying from one city to another and never really getting to see past a hotel room.

"Do you want to go for a wander?" Bob suggested zipping his jacket up. It was cold and had been raining most of the day.

"You do know you guys are nuts?" Jill laughed wishing she had put her boots on, "Do you always go sneaking out of hotels at night?

"Not all the time but sometimes you just really need too." Frank said as he pulled his hood over his head and lit up another cigarette.

Jill nodded as she followed them out of the hotel grounds and down the street, she couldn't help feeling nervous about them being spotted. Frank and Bob were so relaxed as they joked about in front of her. The streets were virtually deserted and Jill was grateful that it was a week night and not the weekend. Nottingham had a great nightlife especially with it having such a big student population. The shops were all lit up with christmas lights and it instantly made her feel better about things. She loved christmas, yes it was only mid-November and that time of year seemed to come around quicker every year but she couldn't help being excited by it. Jill stood in front of the shop looking at the window, she didn't notice that Frank and Bob had continued to walk on.

"What is it with girls and shops?" Bob sighed as he turned round to see Jill standing and looking in the shop window.

"Tell me about it," Frank laughed recalling the endless hours he had spent waiting for Jamia to try things on.

Jill looked up as she heard them approaching, "Oh sorry I was distracted."

Frank laughed out loud, "That's okay,"

Frank suddenly became distracted himself by the jewellery in the shop window, "They have some really nice stuff, Jamia would love that necklase."

Bob rolled his eyes as he waited impatiently for the two of them.

"I think I might come back here tomorrow and get that for her before we leave." Frank said.

"It's really nice Frank," Jill agreed,"If I was you though I would get someone else to come for it before this place will be really busy by the morning."

Frank pulled out his mobile phone and took a picture of the necklase.

They continued to walk occassionally stopping to look in a shop window. Jill glanced at her watch, "It's after 3,"

"I suppose we should head back, plus it's starting to rain." Bob said holding out his hand to feel the raindrops.

"I suppose," Frank agreed as he turned to follow them back.

The rain had started to fall heavily as they made their way back to the hotel and they huddled together to try and keep themselves dry. Jill walked on the outside nearest the road as they both lit up the next inevitable cigarette.

"Ahh god dammit," Jill shrieked as a car surged through a puddle and water rushed up and drenched her. Jill stood for a moment as she looked at the damage, she was soaked right through her clothes and it was with nice dirty water. Jill shuddered as she felt the water run down her back.

Bob and Frank couldn't help themselves and burst out laughing as they looked at her as she resembled a drowned rat. The expression on her face was pitiful but as much as Bob wanted to rush to her to make sure she was okay he couldn't move for laughing.

"That's right you just laugh you fuckers." Jill said shaking the water off her hands.

"My poor Jilly," Bob said affectionately as he finally walked towards her. Frank watched the change in Bob's demenour as he showed his true feelings towards Jill for the first time so openly.

Jill held out her arms for a hug.

"Maybe later." Bob replied trying to contain his laughter.

"Later! you'll be getting nothing later." Jill playfully snapped as she flicked the excess water off her jacket towards Bob.

"Come here." Bob replied as he grabbed her.

Frank didn't quite know where to look as he pulled his hoodie tighter over his face. As he looked in every direction except in front of him he began to notice people were starting to stare at them, "Guys, I hate to break up your fun but we should be moving."

They started to walk towards the hotel and Frank held back ever so slightly to watch the little drama unfold in front of him.

"Jill, you're gonna catch the cold," Bob said putting his arm around her shoulders, "Take your jacket off and have mine."

"It's fine honest, the hotel is just round the corner." Jill replied leaning her head on him.

"You are so stubborn." Bob said pulling her closer and not caring that he was getting dirty.

"Hey where's Frank?" Jill asked looking around as she noticed he was no longer beside her.

"I'm here." Frank replied catching up to walk on the other side of her, "You're freezing Jill." Frank added as he rubbed her hand in his.

Jill's thoughts suddenly flashed back to Ruth's Frank obsession and oh how she would hate Jill right at this very moment.

"That's it, if you won't take my jacket." Bob suddenly said as he turned towards her and started to bend down.

"What are you doing? Jill asked bemused," Whooooaaa."

Jill shrieked unintentially as Bob put his arm under her thighs and lifted her off her feet, "I'll break your back Bob put me down."

Bob had no intention of putting her down and he held her close to try and warm her up, "Listen little lady, I'm a carrying you back to your room and you can fight me all you want it'll make no difference whatsoever."

Frank smiled as he watched the interaction between them, he hadn't seen Bob like this for so long and they both seemed so, well so happy with each other.

"Frank, tell him to put me down," Jill pleaded reaching her hand out to Frank.

"No way Jill, you don't mess with the Bryar when he's adamant about something." Frank replied ignoring Jill pouting at him, "You know you love it anyway."

Frank watched as Jill's face suddenly went red and he knew he had cracked them when neither snapped back with their usual blunt response. Frank hurried in front of Bob as they reached the hotel and he held open the door in front of them.

"Right, well I'll be off unless either of you need me." Frank asked wanting to give them space but also because he was desperate to let Gerard, Mikey and especially Ray know.

"I'm fine," Jill replied

"Me too, catch up with you later Frank." Bob added as he finally let Jill down.

"Bob, you don't need me to help you shower Jill then?" Frank asked unable to stop the words coming out.

"FRANK?" Jill once again shrieked cringing with embarrasment as Frank started to move quickly out of Bob's reach.

"Ah just you wait til I catch up with you Iero." Bob shouted as Frank disappeared into the elevator with the biggest cheekiest smile on his face.




Agghhhhh please tell me what you think by rating/reviewing. It's a bit jumpy this one so I hope it was easy to follow. I already have the next chapter written but I may have to change it depending on what you think of this one. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for my last chapter. You guys ROCK :)